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The Story of PEI Part 12: 20th Century Land Use Change
Over the winter, we’ve explored the story of PEI starting with formation of its bedrock 300 million years ago, through the last ice age,...
katemacquarrie22
Apr 16, 20253 min read


Red Tree Brain Fungus
Fall may be peak mushroom season on PEI, but fungi can be found at all times of year. One that I’m seeing a lot right now is the...
katemacquarrie22
Apr 6, 20252 min read


The Story of PEI Part 9: Land Clearing
In the last few posts, we’ve looked at aspects of PEI’s forests and wildlife hundreds of years ago, before European settlement. In each...
katemacquarrie22
Mar 26, 20253 min read


Ruffed Grouse Tracks
There are two types of tracks I am seeing everywhere on PEI this year: Snowshoe Hare (featured March 3), and the topic of today’s post:...
katemacquarrie22
Mar 16, 20253 min read


The Story of PEI Part 8: Plagues of Mice
Last week, we looked at some of the large mammals that once roamed PEI, including Black Bears, Lynx, Walrus, and Caribou. You may think...
katemacquarrie22
Mar 12, 20253 min read


Meadow Vole (aka Field Mouse) Tracks
If it looks like a Mouse and squeaks like a Mouse it. . . might be a Vole! This week, we explore Vole tracks and sign, and look at Voles’...
katemacquarrie22
Mar 9, 20253 min read


The Story of PEI Part 7: Early Wildlife
Last week, we explored the PEI landscape of three centuries ago, around the time Europeans arrived. Those pre-settlement forests and...
katemacquarrie22
Mar 5, 20253 min read


Variations on Hare Tracks
No matter where I go on PEI this winter – town or country – the most common tracks I see are from Snowshoe Hare. It’s been like this for...
katemacquarrie22
Mar 2, 20253 min read


The Story of PEI Part 6: Early Forests
This winter we’ve been looking at PEI’s natural history – the story our landscape tells about itself. So far, we’ve read chapters written...
katemacquarrie22
Feb 26, 20253 min read


Recognizing Red Squirrel Tracks
This winter’s frequent bouts of fresh snowfall have made for some ideal tracking conditions. While Red Squirrels are very common, it’s...
katemacquarrie22
Feb 23, 20252 min read


New Book Coming Soon!
My new book, Wild Foods of Prince Edward Island is coming out this spring and now available for pre-order. Published by The Acorn Press,...
katemacquarrie22
Feb 22, 20251 min read


The Story of PEI Part 5: Post-glacial Land and People
So far this winter, we’ve explored the formation of the Island’s sedimentary sandstone, fossils that can be found within it, a unique...
katemacquarrie22
Feb 19, 20253 min read


The Story of PEI Part 4: Glaciation
PEI has experienced many ice ages over its long history, but the landscape we know and love today was shaped by the most recent – the...
katemacquarrie22
Feb 12, 20253 min read


Burls vs. Galls
Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist, your own personal Google for information on all things natural on PEI. Winter is great time to spot...
katemacquarrie22
Feb 5, 20253 min read


Winter Spiders
Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist, your own personal Google for information on all things natural on PEI! Today’s topic is courtesy of...
katemacquarrie22
Jan 22, 20253 min read


The Story of PEI Part 2: Fossils
Some may say that PEI is geologically boring, but I think nothing could be further from the truth! Our sandstone bedrock holds...
katemacquarrie22
Jan 15, 20253 min read


Blue Roundhead
Welcome back to Mushroom Monday, your weekly look at some of PEI’s fascinating fungi. We’ve reached the end of mushroom season – and this...
katemacquarrie22
Dec 8, 20243 min read


Spruce Sprite
Welcome back to Mushroom Monday, your weekly look at some of PEI’s easy-to-identify fungi. Today’s mushroom may be small, but that...
katemacquarrie22
Dec 1, 20242 min read


Scaber Stalks
Welcome back to Mushroom Monday, your weekly look at some of PEI’s easy-to-identify fungi. Today, it’s not one mushroom, but an entire...
katemacquarrie22
Nov 24, 20243 min read


Orange Jelly Spot
Welcome back to Mushroom Monday, your weekly look at some of PEI’s easy-to-identify fungi. ‘Mushroom’ usually evokes the stereotypical...
katemacquarrie22
Nov 17, 20243 min read
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